Johnny Guitar

Johnny Guitar
Directed byNicholas Ray
Screenplay byPhilip Yordan
Ben Maddow[1][2]
Based onJohnny Guitar
by Roy Chanslor
Produced byHerbert J. Yates
StarringJoan Crawford
Sterling Hayden
Mercedes McCambridge
Scott Brady
Ernest Borgnine
CinematographyHarry Stradling
Edited byRichard L. Van Enger
Music byPeggy Lee
Victor Young
Color processTrucolor
Production
company
Distributed byRepublic Pictures
Release date
  • May 5, 1954 (1954-05-05)
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2.5 million (United States and Canadian rentals)[3]

Johnny Guitar is a 1954 American Western film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge, Ernest Borgnine and Scott Brady. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. The screenplay was adapted from a novel of the same name by Roy Chanslor.

In 2008, Johnny Guitar was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[4][5]

The main theme of the film's score, composed by Victor Young, and title song, co-written and performed by Peggy Lee, is loosely based on the Spanish Dance No. 5: Andaluza by Enrique Granados. Written by Granados for Piano, though often performed on classical guitar, the piece is played by Joan Crawford's character (dubbed) seated at the saloon piano in one of the film's climactic scenes.

  1. ^ Schlesinger, Michael. "Johnny Guitar" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  2. ^ McGilligan, Pat (June 26, 1988). "Philip Yordan: The Ghosts and the Screenwriter". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "1954 Boxoffice Champs". Variety. January 5, 1955. p. 59 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "Cinematic Classics, Legendary Stars, Comedic Legends and Novice Filmmakers Showcase the 2008 Film Registry". Library of Congress (Press release). December 30, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2020.